#D $NMRDQU@SHNM "BSHUD A newsletter of the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area 70-6.& bu *446& b +6-:u "6(u 4&15 ckkj

10*/54 0' */5&3&45* / 5 & 3 & 4 5

• Get the latest's .DDS SGD MDV QDRDQUD L@M@FDQ @S #$" conservation news on BCA. Mr. Jacques Kuyler, former that have returned. The land- entering a new chapter in the reserve manager at Tyger- • Find some “green” scapes, beauty and people of story of the BCA. Our vision is berg Nature reserve, has tips on how you the West Coast are unique and clear - To conserve, protect and taken over the reigns at BCA is something that is dear to my enhance the unique natural, can help change on 1 July 2009. Here are heart. Anxiousness in the enor- historical and cultural resources the world. some thoughts from the new mous task that lay ahead. Many of this area for the enjoyment • Join the Friends of reserve manager: a great and enthusiastic mind and education of future and pre- BCA. Find out how has been involved in laying the sent generations. How we reach foundation and setting the vi- that vision and whether we ulti- inside! It is with great excitement and sion for the Blaauwberg Con- mately succeed will depend a little bit of anxiousness that I servation Area. It has been said largely on the buy-in and sup- joined the Blaauwberg Conser- that there comes a time when port of our various stakeholders INSIDE THIS vation Area in July of this year. I S S U E : the risk to remain tight in the and ultimately on the support of Excitement in that I started my bud is more painful than the our communities. I invite you to Meet the new 1 career along the West Coast risk it takes to blossom and it take this journey with us. reserve man- and feel like the long lost son is my feeling that we are now ager at BCA

Search and 1 Rescue in the North District 4D@QBG @MC 3DRBTD HM SGD //NQSGNQSG %HRSQHBS By Simone Greveling BCA student 2 opens her heart to chil- With Rietvlei Reserve ters of the vlei and brought to animals big and small were dren in need under water during the winter Blaauwberg Conservation Area. saved. season this year animals were Here the two reserves worked Parkinson Sup- 3 port Group stranded on islands with no swiftly hand in hand to release visit BCA where to go. Reptiles and am- the animal behind Blaauwberg phibians were washed out the Hill. The next day the rescue Under the 3 mouth of the Diep at teams were at it again collect- Milkwood trees lagoon where they ing snakes, skinks, terrapins

Who we are 5 seeked shelter in the reed de- and frogs from the Diep River and what we bris which had washed up on mouth and were later released do the shores. into the Diep River corridor.

Upcoming 5 With great efforts from Rietvlei Due to the efforts, passion and staff a female Grysbok was team work of the two reserves events Rietvlei staff capturing a female grysbok captured in the outer perime- 70-6.& bu *446& b 1"(&1 " ( & ccc #$" RSTCDMS NODMR GDQ GD@QS SN BGHKCQDM HM MDDC

Chaentine Geduld, a Fisheries Resource Management student based at the Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA) for her practical year, recently organised some fun-filled environmental educational activities for children from two local disadvantaged schools, Vaaitjie Pri- mary and Vissershok Primary School. During a week in August, the grade 4 to 6 learners were taught about marine ecology, biodiversity, and climate change and energy.

“While visiting the schools I could not help but ache inside and feel grateful for the abundance that I have in comparison to almost nothing that these children have,” said Chaentine. “None of the children were dressed warmly or even had proper shoes to wear.”

“These children live on the borders of the BCA and it is crucial to educate them on how significant the nature reserve is and why it should be protected. They need to know that they form an important part of the nature reserve.”

A two day programme was subsequently planned for Vaaitjie Primary learners on 21 and 22 September.

On the first day, the children received a warm welcome at the Melkbos Fire Station. The programme started with the first activity – a beach checklist. The children had to look for and record rocky shore animals. This was a great touch and learn experience for them. Then they were given a very informative talk and exercise on fire and safety by Mr Willemse. After a filling lunch, the learners decorated ma- rine animals with sand, colouring pencils, shells, and glitter but little did they know that the animals formed a marine food web that they had to complete. This helped them understand how everything in nature is linked. To top it all, the learners got to create their own piece of jewellery using shells and beads. Exhausted, but still enthusiastic, they all left with an exciting goody bag.

On day two, the learners was taken to Blaauwberg Hill and taught about alien vegetation and why it is so bad for the environment. They got involved by hand pulling smaller Port Jackson trees and using tree poppers to remove the larger trees. The learners enjoyed the alien clearing so much that they want to return and help out on a monthly basis! The learners then hiked up Blaauwberg Hill where lunch and refreshments were served. The day ended off with a 45-minute hike down the hill. Thanks to generous sponsors, the children were each rewarded for their hard work and co-operation with a 12-piece stationery set. As the stationery was handed out, their eyes lit up and that was the most rewarding to see – that somehow a difference was made and we could bring joy into the children’s lives, even if it was just for a day or two.

“I’m sure they will not easily forget this experience and I know this memory will remain with me for the rest of my life. I hope that it won’t stop here and that this could be done annually so that the love for the environment can grow in the children’s hearts and more children can become involved with the nature reserve.”

We would like to thank the generous sponsors for helping to make a change in the lives of these children by giving back to the community. A warm and sincere thank you to Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Friends of BCA, Melkbos Fire Department, Pick n Pay Atlantis, Quali Juice. Co; Winplas (Pty) Limited, Central Butchery Atlantis and Imvusa Plastics Atlantis. Without you these two days would not have been a success. We would also like to thank the BCA staff, Rietvlei Wetland Reserve student Ms C. Schroeder, and volunteers Ms J. Green and Ms K. Nell for helping with the children and lastly to Mrs C. Geduld, Mrs C. Kotzee and the braai team, Mr T. Kotzee, Mr J. Warnick and Mr H. Erasmus for assisting with the food and beverages. 70-6.& bu *446& b 1"(&1 " ( & ddd 1@QJHMRNM 4TOONQS (QNTO UHRHS #$" #X :NG@MM 3NTHKK@QC

The members of the Parkinson Support Group were at the top of Blaauwberg Hill on Tuesday 29 September 2009.

The Blaauwberg Conservation Area was proclaimed a Local and Provincial Nature Reserve in 2007. This City Nature Reserve has a rich biological diver- sity and offers visitors more than five hundred plant species, 42 mammals, 140 bird species, 28 reptiles and five amphibians.

The group of 24 members gathered at Eerstesteen Resort on a beautiful sunshine morning during September. A mini-bus, funded by the Friends of the Blaauwberg Conservation Area, together with other vehicles transported the members to Blaauwberg Hill. On the way, the group was taught about the conservation area and related activities.

The Parkinson Support Group on Blaauwberg Hill After half an hour drive, the group finally got to the top. There, the history of

the , which took place in January 1806 (when the British took possession of the Cape from the Dutch for the second time) and the World War II Buildings were presented to the group.

After the talk, the group had a picnic at the top of the Hill, a great opportunity to share experiences and to get to know each other. We were blessed by the weather, the beauty of , and .

For more information on Blaauwberg Conservation Area, contact us on the 021 554 0957 or send us an e-mail on [email protected]

Visit our website www.bca.org.za 666M6MMMCCCCDDDDQQQQ SSSGSGGGDDDD ...H.HHHKKKKJJJJVVVVNNNNNNCCCC 555Q5QQQDDDDDDRRRR On Saturday June 6 th , despite inclement weather, members of the Friends of the Blaauwberg Conservation Area donned their wellies and raincoats to join staff of the BCA in a tree planting session.

Armed with various implements and a bakkie load of Milkwood trees the group trouped off in convoy to the reserve to do battle with the weather and plant as many of the approximately 80 trees as possible.

The damp weather actually helped the work as the ground was softer and, since there will be no irrigating of the trees, planting the trees now will hopefully allow them to start putting down roots during the winter rainfall months, explained Yohann Rouillard, Environmental Education Intern.

The staff of BCA propagate several different species of plants to re-introduce into the reserve and hope to see you at the next winter planting session! 70-6.& bu *446& b 1"(&1 " ( & eee

Regular alien hacks are held at the reserve, here Elkanah House School, the Friends of BCA and members )@BJR of the public participate

The scouts and cubs hiked to the top of Blaauwberg Hill

R R R R D D D D J J J J H H H H ) ) ) )

Heritage Day was celebrated with a hike and cultural talk )NKHC@X1QNFQ@LLD

The Melkbos Care Centre visited the summit of Blaauwberg Hill 70-6.& bu *446& b 1"(&1 " ( & fff

BCA: Nature’s window on Table 8GN VD @QD @MC VG@S VD CN Mountain

For those readers new to the area, the Blaauwberg Conservation area is situated about 20km north of . The historic Blouberg (Blue Mountain) is part of a conservation area, which extends from the Atlantic between $NMS@BS TRr and eastwards over the Blaauwberg Hill down to the plains east of the hill. The area is quite diverse and also has cultural and historical sites. Hiking and BCA Nature Conservation Staff & EE Bookings: cycling trails are being developed and a small café is currently being completed with Jacques Kuyler views out over Table Bay.

Phone: 021 554 0957 Friends of BCA organises outings and events for members and other interested per- Fax: 021 554 0957 sons and groups throughout the year and has a number of activities and meetings E-mail: [email protected] planned for the coming year. As a non profit organisation they depend on member- ship fees and donations. Members of all ages are welcome, and if you are young and Friends of BCA: thinking of a career in the conservation field what better way to start than to be- come involved? The Friends of the BCA would like to invite local schools [Elkanah Cindy Welch House School currently contributes in the form of hands on assistance for alien clearing] and businesses to join and give your support. The more members and sup- Phone: 084 920 1169 port we have, the more contribution to the area we can make. You can download an E-mail: [email protected] application form for this friends group by visiting http://www.bca.org.za/.

Green Living: With Christmas around the corner why not follow this simple Christmas present idea; make a list of everyone you will be gifting and then take yourself off to your nearest organic market where you can stock up on a variety of sweets and preserves, all of which will be appreciated and all of which will cost neither you nor the planet much at all. From the book “Going Green” by Simon Gear 6OBNLHMF DUDMSR

SUN SET WALK AT BLAAUWBERG CONSERVATION AREA Date: Saturday 05 December 2009 Meeting place / time: Eerstesteen Resort at 17:30 Entrance fee: R20 per person To bring: Picnic (no alcohol), hiking/running shoes and torch/head light. Hiking distance: Less than 2kms We will be watching the sun set from the deck of the newly renovated “Mess building”.

Look out for your next Friends of BCA newsletter jammed full of conservation news in early January 2010!